React Native 0.87 is out: Strict TypeScript API, faster Metro and Swift Package Manager

What's new

• Strict TypeScript API by default. Types are generated from the source code, more accurate and documented; deep imports from react-native/Libraries/* are now type errors.
• Metro 0.87. Source maps are built twice as fast with half the memory; TypeScript and ESM config files are supported as stable.
• Swift Package Manager on iOS (experimental) instead of CocoaPods — only Xcode is needed, no Ruby or Bundler.
• Android Gradle Plugin 9 — the first release that supports it.

What breaks when upgrading

• Minimum requirements: Node.js 22.13 and Kotlin 2.0; compileSdk is raised to 37.
• InteractionManager, the Modal animated prop and deprecated StatusBar props are removed; TurboModules are always on.
• useColorScheme() now returns null instead of 'unspecified'.
• Deep imports have to be replaced with the public API.

How to upgrade

1. Go through the versions one by one and compare native file changes in the Upgrade Helper.
2. Check third-party libraries for compatibility with the new version.
3. Run regression tests on real iOS and Android devices before submitting to the stores.

We upgrade mobile apps built with React Native: we will estimate how many versions you are behind and which libraries need replacing, and ship the update to the App Store and Google Play.

Sources: release announcement, React Native release schedule.